What is Amiodarone used for?

Amiodarone is used to treat the following conditions:

• Tachyarrhythmias (heart rate increases more than the normal rate) associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (abnormal fast heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath);
• Atrial flutter and fibrillation (very fast electrical discharge in heart making the atria contract rapidly, with some of the electrical impulses reaching the ventricles and causing them to contract irregularly);
• Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (high rhythm disorders in the lower chamber ‘ventricles’ of the heart).

Amiodarone is used only in life-threatening heart rhythm disorders in combination with other antibiotics.

Amiodarone may also be prescribed for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How does Amiodarone work?

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat and prevent several types of irregular heartbeats.

Amiodarone treats and prevents abnormal heartbeats by working inside cells to control muscle contractions in the heart. It helps your heart beat normally.

How to take Amiodarone ?

• The dosage of oral tablet and capsules of Amiodarone depends on the age, weight and medical condition of an individual. Take Amiodarone as prescribed by your doctor.
• Amiodarone is taken by mouth, once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food, but choose one way and take this medicine the same way with every dose.
• Do not discontinue Amiodarone without consulting a doctor.
• If rapid response is required, then Amiodarone intravenous is administered.
• Intravenous administration must be done by a medical professional.
• If you miss a dose of Amiodarone, please take it immediately once you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

What should you do when you have taken an overdose of Amiodarone ?

If you have taken an overdose of Amiodarone, please contact your doctor immediately.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• Severe Dizziness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Chest pain
• Very slow heartbeat
• Fainting

Overdose of Amiodarone can be fatal.

What are the drugs that interact with Amiodarone?

Drugs that interact with Amiodarone:  

• Acetaminophen
• Apixaban
• Ascorbic acid
• Aspirin
• Atorvastatin
• Carvedilol
• Cholecalciferol
• Chlorpromazine
• Clarithromycin
• Clopidogrel
• Cyanocobalamin
• Docusate
• Dofetilide
• Doxepin
• Erythromycin
• Fluphenazine
• Furosemide
• Levofloxacin
• Lithium
• Levothyroxine
• Metoprolol Succinate
• Metoprolol Tartrate
• Moxifloxacin
• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Pimozide
• Procainamide
• Quinidine
• Quinine, Mefloquine, Chloroquine, Halofantrine
• Rivaroxaban
• Rosuvastatin
• Sotalol
• Tamsulosin
• Tiotropium
• Warfarin

This is not a comprehensive list of drug interactions. Consult your doctor to know more about other possible drug interactions.

What are the side effects of Amiodarone ?

Most common side effects of Amiodarone are: 

• Severe dizziness
• Near-fainting or fainting (syncope)
• Dizziness and Nausea
• Light-headedness.
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Constipation
• Confusion or memory problems
• Tiredness during physical activity.
• Very slow heartbeat
• Hot Flushes
• Sweating and nausea

Please stop your Amiodarone and contact your physician immediately if you have

• Bradycardia (very slow heart rate), generally moderate and dose-related;
• coughing up blood;
• onset or worsening of arrhythmia (Improper beating of the heart, too fast or too slow) sometimes followed by cardiac arrest;
• conduction disturbances (electric progression of the heart is disturbed);
• sinoatrial block (The initial impulse in a heart is usually formed in the Sinoatrial(SA) node and carried through the atria);
• AV (atrio-ventricular) block of various degrees (electric conduction between the atria and ventricles are malfunctioning);
• signs of overactive and underactive thyroid hormone, hyperthyroidism sometimes fatal gets fatal also;
• micro deposits in the cornea, hallucinations, blurred vision etc.;
• liver related problems
• sleep disorders and nightmares;
• pulmonary (lungs related) toxicity;
• bronchospasm (spasm of the bronchial muscles in lung).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please consult your doctor to know more about other possible side effects.

What special precautions should be followed while taking Amiodarone ?

• Seek doctor’s advice before taking any other drug or herbal products while on Amiodarone.
• When Amiodarone (intravenous administration) is administered, facilities must have cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, and cardiac pacing.
• Amiodarone can make you sunburn very easily. Avoid going out in the sunlight or on the tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use.
• This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
• Patients must be evaluated clinically and given to chest X-ray before starting therapy.

You are advised not to take Amiodarone if

• it has passed the expiry date of the medicine printed on the pack.
• the foil or packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering or there is discolouration.

What should you tell your doctor before taking  Amiodarone ?

Tell your doctor if

• you are allergic to Amiodarone or other antibiotics from the same class.
• you are taking any other drugs, OTC medications, herbal products or nutritional supplements
• you have asthma or another lung disorder.
• you have liver disease.
• you have thyroid disorder.
• you have vision related problems.
• you have high or low blood pressure.
• you have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted in your chest.
• you have heart condition called "AV block", unless you have a pacemaker.
• you have history of slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.
• your heart cannot pump blood properly.
• you have lungs disease.
• you have liver and kidney problem or low potassium or magnesium levels.
• you are allergic to Amiodarone.
• you are planning a surgery or any procedure.
• you are pregnant or trying to conceive or are breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions about Amiodarone

• For Amiodarone tablets, do not store it above 25°C. Store in the original package.
• The tablets must not be exposed to light and moisture as it becomes less active
• Amiodarone must be kept out of children’s reach.

No, you can have your normal diet unless advised by your doctor. Avoid grapefruit while using this medication unless otherwise directed by doctor. Grapefruit can increase the amount of this medication in your bloodstream.

Amiodarone comes in oral tablets and intravenous injection formulations.

Amiodarone does not affect the driving ability. However, if you are feeling dizzy, it is better to avoid driving.

It is better to avoid alcohol while taking Amiodarone as the medicine potentiates the effect of alcohol.

Disclaimer:

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Please seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.